European stocks continue to gain

On Wednesday, August 1, European stocks edged higher amid speculations about decisive actions from central banks to support the economy. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index soared 0.5 per cent to 262.57. At the same time, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 rose by 1.4 per cent, while Germany's DAX, on the contrary, erased 0.3 per cent.   Next Plc added 6.5 per cent, Arkema SA jumped 5.7 per cent as  their quaretrly reports came better-than-expected.